Red Sox honor Bucksport native for military service in Hats Off to Heroes program

Bucksport native Ben Arnold stands on the Red Sox dugout while being honored as part of the Boston Red Sox's "Hats Off to Heroes" program at Fenway Park in Boston during the game against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night. The 29-year-old Arnold is a highly-decorated soldier who served in the Navy and is now in the Army National Guard.

Bucksport native Ben Arnold was honored by the Boston Red Sox for his military service during their game Wednesday night against the Chicago Cubs at Fenway Park in Boston.

Arnold, 29, is a decorated Navy and Army National Guard veteran who was selected for the Red Sox’s “Hats Off to Heroes” program.

He was honored by the team during the fourth inning for his military service.

He was escorted to the Red Sox dugout, which he stood on top of while his picture and the highlights of his military career were shown on the Jumbotron.

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Arnold served five years of active duty in the Navy and had tours in the Persian Gulf, where they provided combat support, from 2005 to 2006 and in 2009. He switched over to the Army National Guard and served in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom from 2011 to 2012, when he helped train Afghan police forces.

His awards include the Army Commendation Medal, the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Award, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Star, U.S. Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Combat Action Badge.

He is serving as a sergeant in the 133rd Military Police Company in Timmonsville, South Carolina.